Idler Bearing or Alternator?

[Stuck CAPS]

looks like you need to replace that already. you should be able to rotate it smoothly without too much effort.

I'll order bearings tonight or later this weekend then.

 

[TechWrench]

Welp, Idlers replaced, still whining, any ideas?

Edit: I only replaced top two. Is it time to replace tensioner and lower?

Edit2: idler no 1 (lower) has either no play or so little play its not noticable. I guess next stop is tensioner? And hiw freely should alternator spin?

Just a note: the lower idler pulley has two bearings mounted side by side, (at least my original oem pulley was that way). When I removed mine, it didn't have any side to side play, but the inner bearing was pretty stiff, while the outer one was good. I was only able to tell for sure it was bad, after I removed it from the engine.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Just a note: the lower idler pulley has two bearings mounted side by side, (at least my original oem pulley was that way). When I removed mine, it didn't have any side to side play, but the inner bearing was pretty stiff, while the outer one was good. I was only able to tell for sure it was bad, after I removed it from the engine.

So should I remove it, and test it? If it's fine bolt back in, if not, pick up another?

Edit: Also, with the stethoscope I didn't hear a grinding noise on the lower.

 

[TechWrench]

So should I remove it, and test it? If it's fine bolt back in, if not, pick up another?

Edit: Also, with the stethoscope I didn't hear a grinding noise on the lower.

I would suggest that you check both the inner and outer bearings on that pulley to be sure.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

I would suggest that you check both the inner and outer bearings on that pulley to be sure.

The bolt does however contact both, so either way, would I have AT LEAST some grinding noise with one bad bearing?

 

[TechWrench]

The bolt does however contact both, so either way, would I have AT LEAST some grinding noise with one bad bearing?

That's the strange part, sort of. When you press two same size bearings together in a bore, one would think that they would function as one. But sometimes that is not the case. The bolt doesn't actually contact the center bore of the bearings, at least not in the way I think you imagine. The bolts primary purpose is to provide the pressure between the washer on the front, and the seat on the rear, which is supposed to compress the two center bearing races together to form a fixed point around which the two bearings, (along with the pulley) spin freely around it. But, because they are still two separate bearings, it is possible for one to fail while the other is still good. When I removed the lower idler pulley on mine, it wasn't making an obvious noise, but I found the inner bearing was stiff feeling, while the outer one felt normal. I am just suggesting that if you are going to have the belt off to replace any part in its path, checking all the pulleys, by hand, is a good idea.

 

[Stuck CAPS]

That's the strange part, sort of. When you press two same size bearings together in a bore, one would think that they would function as one. But sometimes that is not the case. The bolt doesn't actually contact the center bore of the bearings, at least not in the way I think you imagine. The bolts primary purpose is to provide the pressure between the washer on the front, and the seat on the rear, which is supposed to compress the two center bearing races together to form a fixed point around which the two bearings, (along with the pulley) spin freely around it. But, because they are still two separate bearings, it is possible for one to fail while the other is still good. When I removed the lower idler pulley on mine, it wasn't making an obvious noise, but I found the inner bearing was stiff feeling, while the outer one felt normal. I am just suggesting that if you are going to have the belt off to replace any part in its path, checking all the pulleys, by hand, is a good idea.

Already done it, but it seemed smooth. So should I pull it and hand test it?

 

[TechWrench]

Already done it, but it seemed smooth. So should I pull it and hand test it?

If you already have the belt off, then it only takes 5 min to pull it and be sure.

 

[having fun]

Home now, I don't have a problem with fan wind noise with this one, you can hear the swish/swish noises quite clearly when used.

Hope you find what all got damaged in there, and stay out of the muddy/sandy waters next time.

 

[TechWrench]

Home now, I don't have a problem with fan wind noise with this one, you can hear the swish/swish noises quite clearly when used.

Hope you find what all got damaged in there, and stay out of the muddy/sandy waters next time.View attachment 116194

Very similar to the one I have. Works great, as long as you are careful where the probe is going when the engine is running...............